Iran Update Special Report, March 30, 2026

(Institute for the Study of War) US President Donald Trump told the Financial Times on March 30 that the combined force has struck 13,000 targets since the start of the war on February 28. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on March 30 that it struck 170 targets over the past day. The IDF stated on March 30 that it has destroyed more than 80 percent of Iran’s air defense systems. The IDF continued to expand its air dominance over Iran by striking an air defense site in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran. The combined force continued to target defense industrial sites in Iran. Strikes on defense industrial sites have likely degraded Iran’s ability to produce missiles and drones. An Israeli military correspondent reported that the IDF has struck around 40 defense industrial sites in the past two days. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on March 30 that the United States has destroyed 150 Iranian vessels, including 92 percent of Iran’s “largest vessels,” since the war began. The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on March 30 that NATO air defense systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile that had entered Turkish airspace for the fourth time since the start of the war. Anti-regime media and a Kurdistan Democratic Party-affiliated journalist reported that Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters have deployed to western Iran. Iran targeted a water desalination plant in Kuwait on March 29 and killed one worker as part of its ongoing drone and missile attack campaign against the Gulf countries. Hezbollah claimed that it conducted 65 attacks targeting Israeli forces and communities in northern Israel and southern Lebanon between 2:00 PM ET on March 29 and 2:00 PM ET on March 30. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Hezbollah has launched 5,000 missiles, rockets, and drones from Lebanon targeting Israel since March 2. The IDF said on March 29 that it intercepted two Houthi drones near Eilat, southern Israel, marking the third time that the Houthis have attacked Israel since entering the conflict on March 28. – Iran Update Special Report, March 30, 2026 | ISW